Public Statements

Warner and Kaine Statements on U.S. Navy Commitment to Build Ten Additional Submarines

Statement

U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine released the following statements on the announcement of a multiyear, $17.6 billion contract for construction of 10 Virginia-class submarines, two ships per year from 2014 to 2018:

"Today's announcement that the Navy has committed to purchasing 10 submarines over the next five years is great news for Hampton Roads and Virginia," Senator Warner said. "This multi-year buy further strengthens the partnership between the Navy and Huntington Ingalls, and the region's shipbuilders and subcontractors. By purchasing through a multi-year contract it also allows the Navy to maximize efficiencies and get the best value for the taxpayers."

"This is a huge win for Newport News Shipbuilding and the Commonwealth of Virginia," said Senator Kaine. "I continue to be impressed by the outstanding work done by Virginia shipbuilders, which I had the opportunity to see again recently when I brought Senator Jack Reed to visit the shipyard. This contract helps support the more than 63,000 Virginia shipbuilding jobs - the most of any state - while ensuring the future of our Navy's advantage in undersea warfare.